I did a few searches and couldn't find a thread for this, so hopefully there wasn't one I missed.

I tend to find a lot of live albums and DVDs to be redundant or boring, but there are some that really standout among the rest. Those are the ones that have something memorable about them. They capture an era of a band long gone, or a unique setlist. Or maybe they just perfectly capture how you envisioned the band to be live. So, I wanted to start a thread about them. Contribute your own favorites, comment, discuss, whatever. Please don't just post a bunch of images without any sort of commentary though.

And lastly...

PLEASE DO NOT POST GIANT IMAGES!

In no particular order, here are some of my favorites:

Mayhem
Live in Leipzig
1993

http://www.bravewords.com/static/medias/images/news/142610.jpg

This was the album that really got me into black metal. As any black metal fan knows, it's one of the few recordings with Dead. The opening line, "Only death is real" is probably the most famous black metal quote. The whole atmosphere of this album is just perfect. To me it represents the essence of black metal. It's not often that I prefer a live recording over a studio one, but I always come back to this.

Judas Priest
Unleashed in the East
1979

http://hostthenpost.org/uploads/949f6dd0f9ff688c54ae1edd2f62ef99.jpg

When I first heard the intro to "Exciter" I was hooked. This is a remarkable release. Despite the overdubbing, it remains an iconic heavy metal album. It takes you back to the golden era of the band. With classics like "Victim of Changes" and "Tyrant" you can't go wrong here. Not only that, but the sound is spot on and Rob sounds great. It's one of those things that makes you wish you had a time machine.

Destruction
Live Without Sense
1989

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41SBJEVXNXL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Destruction's early albums were poorly produced, and although I have grown to like the sound, it still takes away a lot of power in the music. Not only does this album show the band in their prime, but you can actually hear the songs as they were meant to be. The guitars sound heavier and the drums are no longer paper thin. It's most noticeable in the intros to "Curse the Gods" and "Invincible Force".

Suffocation
The Close of a Chapter
2005

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61eUQakpf7L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

After seeing Suffocation live I didn't think this album would be able to show the immensity of their performance. I was wrong. This is the definition of crushing. Although this is well past the band's early days, they still sound incredible and the set still has plenty of classics. If you are a Suffocation fan, this album is a must have.

Morbid Angel
Live Madness
1989

http://hostthenpost.org/uploads/33f74c99281f74d46bd365a716198a66.jpg

Well, of course I was going to put this one in here! This DVD was recorded on the legendary Grindcrusher Tour and Morbid Angel played all of Altars of Madness. David Vincent sounds great, as he was still doing higher pitched growls at this time. The crowd is going insane for the entire set, with tons of stage diving and headbanging going on. It makes me wish I was there to take part in the madness.

Opeth
In Live Concert at the Royal Albert Hall
2010

http://hostthenpost.org/uploads/91d00b9d27d0d4f5760155ce4f411ed0.jpg

Seeing as there are a lot of Opeth fans here, I'm sure you all know about this DVD. At nearly three hours in length, this is probably the longest setlist Opeth has ever played. Featuring their acclaimed album, Blackwater Park, in its entirety, as well as other rarely played songs, this is a spectacle of a show. On top of that it was extremely well done. It's a moment in Opeth's history that every fan needs to own.

Iron Maiden
Live After Death
1985

http://hostthenpost.org/uploads/25a3d5e9ea5637c58ae7dff275101235.jpg

I think some of the big Maiden fans here will have a lot more to say about this than me. Specifically, PowerMaiden. ;) Anyway, this is Maiden in (arguably) their best period. Awesome show and awesome setlist. I'm sure there is a lot of criticism out there (that seems to be the case with anything Maiden does), but I think it's awesome, and really captures what a Maiden show is like.

Dark Funeral's live album is my favorite live album that isn't Unleashed In The East.

IrritatedTrout

06-08-2012, 12:25 PM

Some favorites are:

Iron Maiden - Rock In Rio

Full-on energy, great production, great workout music. I think this is the definitive live version of Fear of the Dark.

Iron Maiden - Maiden England

Setlist isn't the best as it's only 13 songs and the production is wonky. However, I love the production. The bass is turned up super high and has a "clack clack" sound but I think it sounds cool. Check out The Evil That Men Do and listen to Steve shred on the bass. Also, Bruce my not be 100% vocally but his energy is great. I would say that this disc has the definitive live versions of Die With Your Boots On, Evil That Men Do, and Still Life (duh:tongue:).

Heaven and Hell - Live From Radio City Music Hall

Sure Dio shows his age a bit on this one but the performances and set are great. I think it's a more interesting release than Live Evil or Live at Hammersmith.

BloodoftheKings

06-08-2012, 12:26 PM

I'm calling this one of the all time greatest before it's even released. Deal with it.

http://www.guitarworld.com/files/imagecache/featured-node/box.jpg

makethemsuffer12

06-08-2012, 12:44 PM

don't pay attention to what I say buddy, I'm an idiot metalhead since I find that Skidrow albums are gay

Nasum "Doombringer" Zero production values, raw as fuck sound, the way grind was meant to be. Pretty much a "greatest hits" type setlist, but there is just something far more ferocious about these live versions than the studio versions. One of the few live albums I listen to on a regular basis. Also, Dismember "Under Blood Red Skies." "Like An Everflowing Stream" played in its entirety, along with a few other choice cuts.

adamclark52

06-10-2012, 10:03 AM

Type O Negative's 'Origin of the Feces' was a great "live" album.

El Gordo

06-10-2012, 05:58 PM

Type O Negative's 'Origin of the Feces' was a great "live" album.

I totally shattered my little brother's opinion of Type O when I told him it was a fake live album. I'm pretty sure he hasn't listened to them since.

This album is absolutely incredible. The sound on this unbelievably good for a live album to the point that I listen to these versions of the songs over the studio versions most of the time. The sound is just so powerful and rich. The setlist is also excellent, picking some of the best songs off each of their studio albums. If you've never listened to Mogwai and want something to start with, I would definitely suggest starting with this.

Also, the Burning DVD that comes with this is beautifully shot, even if it's fairly standard footage.